Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023

Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for Wednesday's card at Presque Isle Downs. 

 

Race One:

1^st: (3) GUACO – horse for the course did nothing in his first start off the long layoff but dropped down to the bottom level and won two races in a row. He moves back up in class for Cassondra Weaver, who wins 52% first start after a win.

2^nd: (1) SAMURAI LEGACY – horse for the course has won nine times here, including his last two starts when he went gate to wire both times. He moves up a notch in class for Dave Markgraf, who wins 20% first start after a win.

3^rd: (4) JUST WATCH ME NOW – moves up a notch in class off a sharp win going 6 1/2 furlongs. Erin Walker rides back.

 

Race Two:

1^st: (3) LIFE MISSION – ran well last year against much better, but this year he has done nothing in three starts. Son of Noble Mission drops down to bottom claimers for Leland Hayes, who wins 14% with his synthetic-track starters.

2^nd: (1) CAPTAIN MAD JACK – had a strong finish to last year and seems to be coming around. He was a good second last out going 5 1/2 furlongs and should be able to work out a ground-saving trip from post one.

3^rd: (6) PURE SPRING – 10-year-old drops down to the bottom off a series of bad races against state-bred allowance foes.

 

Race Three:

1^st: (3) GOTTS GOT IT – showed high speed in his career debut on the dirt at Pimlico then shipped here and broke his maiden by almost four lengths as the 6-5 favorite. Ron Potts wins 18% with his allowance starters, and Erin Walker rides back.

2^nd: (1) NINJA STAR – pulled away to win by three lengths in his career debut here and should be able to sit the pocket. Kevin Rice wins 15% with his synthetic-track starters and 19% when he rides Addiel Ayala.

3^rd: (2) YEAH TAKE THAT – held well to be second in his career debut then came back and broke his maiden with blinkers added.

 

Race Four:

1^st: (3) R ADMIRAL – just missed going gate to wire in his Presque Isle debut then held well as the 8-5 favorite. He opened up a big lead last out before being run down. John Fennessy wins 11% going long, and Mike Allen rides back.

2^nd: (4) REACTIVE – made a sneaky middle move before weakening in her career debut here going six furlongs and now stretches out to two turns with Lasix added. Daughter of Ghostzapper gets leading rider Pablo Morales.

3^rd: (1) I STRONG – still winless in 10 starts here but has seven placings for Kevin Rice, who wins 14% stretching out.

 

Race Five:

1^st: (2) CHARLOTTE THE BRIT – has won four of five starts here this season and hides out in starter allowance company after being claimed by Rory Barron. She has a stalking running style and gets leading rider Pablo Morales — 26% with his sprint rides.

2^nd: (3) CHEROKEE CHATTER – horse for the course was third against $25K claimers two starts back then was an even third here behind the top choice last out. She has plenty of back class and could be dangerous if Gaddiel Martinez can break on top.

3^rd: (4) ABBEY’S SNOW WHITE – horse for the course just missed three starts back then ran evenly in her last two.

 

Race Six:

1^st: (1) GIACOMETTI – romped by clear margins two races in a row then was an even third six days ago. He moves up a notch in class off the claim by Tim Girten — 21% with this move and 37% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2^nd: (4) GOLDEN SODA – raced evenly in fast time two races in a row then dropped down to this claiming level and was a game second. Keith Dickey wins 20% with his claimers, and his last 55 have shown a flat-bet profit.

3^rd: (5) LARZ – turns back to a sprint after two decent efforts here and drops down in class.

 

Race Seven:

1^st: (6) BREEZY CONNECTION – beat a solid group three starts back as the 17-10 favorite then came back against the same group and was second. She was beaten at odds-on last out for Gerry Brooks, who wins 18% first start after being beaten as the fave.

2^nd: (2) WILD DELIGHT – won going away two starts back in her Tapeta debut here then came back to beat state-bred allowance foes last out. She moves up in class for Mike Rogers, who wins 18% third start off the layoff.

3^rd: (3) QUARTERFLASH – was no match going two turns against state-bred stakes foes last out and drops in class and distance.

 

Race Eight:

1^st: (4) HI HEELED WARRIOR – broke her maiden by 12 lengths in her two-turn debut on the dirt as the odds-on favorite in her second career start. She was soundly beaten in her next two starts but showed some improvement last out going six furlongs.

2^nd: (5) PATH TO VICTORY – broke her maiden in her 17th career start two starts back here against bottom maiden claimers. She came back and was an even third in fast time last out and meets the same class level.

3^rd: (1) DOMINANT STRANGER – is winless in 29 starts here but has 12 placings, but can get a piece against this level.